therefore is called by excelleÌ„cie the fulnes of times Gal. 4.4 and when all shall be gathered then the times shall be full Rom. 11.25.26 c There is but one Christ to saue all of all times and nations Secondly by a distribution of the things to bee gathered which are the elect some in d If out of heauen and earth then there is no Limbus patrum nor Purgatorie heauen some still founde on the earth till the whole summe be called and gathered Now e The Catholike Church is the companie of beleeuers in Christ in heanenand eaâ—th all these some at one time and some at another being gathered shall bee vnited vnto Christ and then being perfect they shall all be partakers of his glorie and he shall giue vp his kingdome to his father 2. Thess 2.14 1. Cor. 15.24 Now here the master may learne to set all these causes in their right order of place out of Rom. 8.30 Whom he predestinated them also he called and whom he called them also he iustified and whom he iustified them also he glorified Where vnder predestinated be contained his purpose the good pleasure of his will election before the foundation of the world All the rest is the performance of that predestination As first the calling by which is not meant the outward calling onely but also the inward calling which Christ sheweth in this posie * Matth. 22.14 Many are called but few are chosen For there is a generall calling by preaching to many and an effectuall calling accompanying preaching by the spirit in a few Vnder this calling are contained the sending of Christ the preaching of Christs Gospel the worke of the spirit making vs to beleeue in him sent and preached the new birth and renewing of the holy Ghost For none are truly called but they in whom all these meet The second worke of performance is in this word instified vnder which is contained our redemption forginenes of sinnes and imputation of righteousnes which is the accepting of vs in Christ the peace with God adoption the companion of iustification which is sanctification and his daughters ioy in the holie Ghost standing in grace c. Lastly is glorified by which is meant the finall gathering into one of all the elect vnto saluation with Christ when it shall be no small part of happines to bee holie and without blame before God hauing no neede of earthly garments to couer our shame and to praise God for the glory of his grace raigning with him in fulnes of ioy for euer euer 1. Thess 3 13 Reuel 22.1.2.3.4.7 and 22.1.2 c. and 20.6 Euen so Lord Iesus come quickly Amen The second booke containing the last order of instruction COncerning this last and largest Catechisme An obsernation to the housholder I am to admonish the master of the familie First that I set downe in seuerall places and chapters seuerall and particular places of Scripture for the teaching of the seuerall parts of doctrine The text is alway set before the doctrine not in the words as in the former Catechismes but onely the name of the booke chapter verse or verses where the words are written which he is to peruse and to compare with the parts of doctrine which I set downe and then to reade it to his familie and out of it being read to shew them so much as I set downe out of it Secondly hee shall finde in some poynts that they are not so direct or expressed in the text but are gathered by circumstaÌ„ce or consequence Such as Christ * Matth. 22.31 vsed to prooue the resurrection if God call himselfe the God of Abraham c. and that he bee God of the liuing and not of the dead then verily there is a resurrection appoynted for the dead Againe wee finde that God hath * Ephes 1.4.11 elected some vnto saluation before the foundation of the world and that he doth thorowly bring to passe whatsoeuer he hath purposed And againe we finde that * Luke 13.23 24 25. 26. some shall not bee saued then it followeth that God neuer purposed their saluation and by consequent he purposed the contrarie except wee will make God as a a Luke 14.28 foolish builder that doth not forecast what hee will doe with euery part of that hee buildeth or els imagine some b Eccles 7.15.16 other power to take order in his ouerslippes or els c Esay 40.12 13 14 15. giue him some counsellers or helpers which is as the foolish hath sayd in his heart Psal 14.1 Now because he should not stumble at a thing that seemes so bare I will adde in euery such place some one or two plaine places of holy scripture to proue the matter of such a collection agreeing to faith and these shall be alwayes in the end or behind euery such poynt Also some one poynt by reason of the order of his place may not bee contained in the text by any collection and some may be directly in the text but not so cleere and plaine Here I will also helpe the master with some other place direct and plaine and by some one word guide him to discerne when any thing is not in the text Lastly in teaching this Catechisme hee may sometimes giue them some one chapter sometimes two for their easines sometimes but a part of one for length or hardnes and in all things to vse good discretion Al which rules being obserued hee shall finde I hope good vse of this Catechisme The last Catechisme containing the summe of the doctrine of Christ by many places of Scripture CAP. 1. Of the doctrine of Christ What. Titus 1.1.2 The doctrine of Christ is the knowledge of the trueth according to godlines vnder the hope of eternall life teaching the nature and actions of God CAP. 2. Of the nature of God Ioh. 4.24 Exod. 3.14 Reuel 1.8 God is a spirit being of himselfe for euer Ioh. 15.26 There are three persons in the Godhead equall in substance The Father of whom are the rest in these words sent from the father The Sonne begotten of the Father from euerlasting Ioh. 1.18 and 17.5 The holy Ghost proceedeth from them both in these words I will send and proceedeth from the father 2. The Father worketh of himselfe by the Sonne and thorow the holy Ghost the Sonne worketh from the Father thorow the holy Ghost the holy Ghost worketh from the Father and the Sonne Tit. 3.4.5.6 CAP. 3. Of the actions of God Gods decree Eph. 1.11 Here the actions of God are declared which are of two sorts 1. The decree which is that he foreappoynted all things in these words purpose and counsell of his will after which he worketh all things 2. The execution of the decree which is that he performeth all things according to his purpose in these words worketh all things Here in regard of man this decree is called predestination which is the foreordaining of some men to
and cause thē to shew it him againe Christ teacheth Nichodemus after many other argumentes to vnderstand the doctrine of regeneration spoken of vers 3. by the cause namely by the first and principall cause which is a God God in whom there is rehearsed no b So loued outwarde cause to moue him but onely that of his owne goodnes his singular loue did this worke namely hee loued c The world the world which by no meanes had deserued it The greatnes of which loue is shewed by the d He gaue worke that he gaue his sonne not purchased by any prayers merits or rewarde of ours but of his free gift And e His sonne what gaue he the earth the heauen cattell infinit treasures heauenly spirits Nothing so yea rather that which excelleth al these things euen his sonne And what f Onely begotten sonne an adopted sonne or counterfeit sonne No but his only begotten sonne And g Not perish but haue eternall life why did hee giue him that we should bestow any thing vpon him or that wee can doe any thing for him Least of all but that he might deliuer vs from euerlasting perdition and giue vs eternall life Vpon what h Whosoeuer beleeueth in l.im. condition that we should do all his lawe and satisfie by contrition pilgrimage or workes of condignitie or supererrogation No such thing but whosoeuer beleeueth in him So that wee with Nichodemus may learne that God giuing his sonne of his singular loue doth work this new birth when by the preaching of the Gospell the spirit frameth in vs faith in Christ and when by faith he maketh vs partakers of euerlasting saluation then doe we enter into the kingdome of heauen And so it is expounded by the a Tit. 3.5.6.7 Apostle God of his mercie saueth vs by the new birth which is shed vpon vs thorow Christ that being iustified by his grace wee may bee made heires thorow hope of eternall life Now there are in these wordes certaine things to bee further explaned that seeing their meaning more cleerely wee may more fitly gather out the seuerall braunches of doctrine First in this word * Loued what loued I vnderstand the goodnes of God according to his eternall decree which is called b Eph. 1.5 The good pleasure of his will As the c Esay 53.10 Prophet also sayth The Lord would breake him c. Secondly I vnderstand this word * World what world for the vniuersall and whole mankinde according to the couenant of God made vnto d Gen. 12.3 which is expounded before Abraham namely that hee loued both Iewes and Gentiles as is plainly taught Rom. 3.29.30 Yet e Reade Deut. 10.14.15 Rom. 9.7.8 Acts. 10.34.35.43 euery particular and singuler person is not meant thereby as Christ expoundeth himselfe when he addeth this limitation that whosoeuer beleeueth c. Thirdly this word * Perish what perish signifieth the miserable condition of mankinde in himselfe by sinne yet when hee sayth should not perish he meaneth not that in this world wee should not dye for a time but that f Ioh. 11 25.26 although we be dead we should be quickened and rise againe vnto eternall life Neither doe I thinke that this bodily death is that death which was threatned to g Gen. 2.17 Adam which is properly the death h Eph. 2.1 in sinne and to bee banished from the presence of God as was Adam Gen. 3. Therefore this is our life to bee i 1. Pet. 3.18 brought by Christ vnto GOD to k Psal 16.11 enioy whose presence is euerlasting life it selfe The summe then is this The free good will of God hath giuen his onely begotten sonne vnto all mankinde that whomsoeuer hee by his spirit thorow hearing the Gospell dooth regenerate and make to beleeue should bee deliuered from eternall death in sinne and obtaine the euerlasting glorie of God As I haue been somewhat longer in opening this most worthie place Direction to the gouernour of the house so I finde here a most large field of Catechisme Where I will obserue this order for the direction of the gouernour of the house whom I perswade my selfe by that time he hath beaten the former Catechismes into his peoples heads shal perceiue them better able to receiue stronger meate I will shewe the manifest beautie of this sentence as a most goodly tree where the master shall guide his folke to gather very many kindes of fruites to the comfortable feeding and nourishing of the soule and how to discerne by the good fruite that which is euill First therefore the doctrines shall offer themselues out of this sentence with most sweete comforts annexed vnto them and in the second place mine hand shall poynt out vnto him how he may descrie vnto his familie the errors contrary vnto the same Vnto euery doctrine I will adde some one place of Scripture for the further enlightning of their vnderstanding The doctrines 1. 1 This is shewed out of the whole sway of the text especially in the words loued gaue and the end of giuing which shewe his liuely working towards his creatures preseruation c. and so would hee bee knowne Exod. 34.6 Malac. 1.2 1. Ioh. 4.16 Psalm 9.16 God is euerliuing the most holy creator and wise gouernour and Sauiour of the world 2. 2 This is expressed sauing of the holie Ghost which is shewed by the effect beleeue which is set for his cause vers 5.1 Ioh 5.7 In this one God are three distinct persons God the Father God the Sonne God the holy Ghost Here he must begin to shewe the distinction of the persons thus 3. 3 This is in a manner expressed sauing of the holy Ghost reade Ioh 15.16 The Father begetteth the Sonne begottē the holy Ghost proceedeth from thē both 4. 4 The beginning of the father to loue and send c. the dispensation it is done by the Son the perfection the holy Ghost worketh faith c. the like Gen. 1.1 Tit. 3.6.7 Heb. 1.2 1. Cor. 12.11 The beginning of euery action is giuen to the Father the dispensation to the Sonne the perfection or consummation to the holy Ghost 5. 5 Made man is in the word gaue for by incarnatiō he was giuen Ioh. 1.14 Mat. 1. all the rest is clecre enough The person and office of Christ person Christ is the onely begotten sonne of GOD made man his office he is our Sauiour 6. 6 1. Pet. 2.9.10 The estate of mankinde by Adams fall is here shewed for vnlesse God had giuen his onely begotten sonne we had perished 7. 7 Eph 1.5.6.7.8.9.10 and cap. 4.11.12 The causes of our saluation and their concurrence and proceeding first the good pleasure of Gods will who freely loueth vs the first cause secondly the matter or meanes he vseth Christ by his incarnation suffering c. thirdly the ioyning of these causes into his forme that is
vse namely that it is not now as common bread to feede our bodies onely but it hath a sacramentall and holy vse annexed for the feeding of our soules that is Wee shew the Lordes death herein till hee come The summe then is seeing hee deliuered vnto them onely that he receiued and that in this order and to this vse they must not prophane this holy Sacrament by their disorder or additaments what so euer to doe in any other order or to any other vse more or lesse then it was ordained Whereupon he proceedeth in the rest of the chapter to giue them certain canons or precepts out of the premisses namely how they should reforme themselues and doe it orderly and profitablie The Doctrine of the Catechisme 1. Out of both places These two places open vnto vs the couenant of God touching the saluation of his elect by two things First by doctrine as a writing declaratorie Secondly by Sacraments as seales of that writing confirmatory 2. The doctrine is in the description of the persons couenanting one with another and the couenant it selfe 3. 3 In the first place vers 4.5.6 The first person is he who offereth the couenant namely God who is described by the speciall worke which hee doth in the couenant hee maketh his bountifulnes appeare and is therefore intituled a Sauiour as one that seeketh vs and not we him 4. The second man 4 Vers 3. shutting out pure naturals free will c. who receiueth the couenants who is described voyde of all goodnes in minde will affections works for so * Ezech. 16.4.5.8 God findeth vs in our filthines before the couenant 5. 5 In the second place vers 24.25 The third person is the mediator of the couenant Christ who giueth his body and blood for the confirmation of the couenant 6. 6 This is out of both places The couenant it selfe is first called the new Testament that is * Ierem. 31.31 not of the lawe of workes but of mercie and grace Therefore on the partie that offereth it is thus described First God propoundeth himselfe to bee our God and Sauiour then hee receiueth vs to himselfe by mercie in Christ and not by our workes Thirdly he sheweth the effect of the couenant that wee should bee iustified by his grace and made heyres thorow hope of eternal life On our part the condition is no more but to receiue all this by faith in Christ which is giuen vs in the new birth and therefore * Rom. 8.15 called the spirite of Adoption by which wee call God Father And so the couenant is made on our part as it is * Gal. 3.26 written Yee are all the sonnes of God by faith in Christ Iesus Where you may see that Christ is the mediator * Eph. 2.18 to bring vs to God namely by beleefe in him Which couenant God will haue declared before men by the vse of his seruice as profession Sacraments c. and by obedience vnto euery good worke 7. In beholding which couenant wee may see all merit and reioycing in man vtterly excluded For before the couenant wee are altogether voyde of all goodnes in the couenant wee are receiued and saued by mercie without workes Christ is a mediator to God for vs paying the ransome of our sinnes by him is powred vpon vs the new birth and renewing of the holy Ghost by him we are iustified and made heyres of euerlasting life If we haue faith or hope they are all the giftes of God thorow Christ so that wee haue euery way cause of abasing our selues and onely to * 1. Cor. 1.30 reioyce in him Wherefore the Church ascribing nothing to her selfe maketh this ioyfull confession a Esay 61.10 I will greatly reioyce in the Lord and my soule shall be ioyfull in my God for he hath clothed mee with the garments of saluation and couered me with the robe of righteousnes c. Now not minding to shew euery particular poynt which these two places affoord An obseruation to the teacher we will come to the second parte of the Sacraments In handling whereof if any thing bee not in one of these two texts for it were much all to be I will set in the margine some other place as a supplie to their wants and this doctrine is in two things 1. How many Sacraments 2. What they be 8. There are but two Sacraments of the * I say couenāt because the word sacrament is vsed diuersly this shutteth of vnproper vses couenant that is to say Baptisme and the Lords Supper The other poynt What they bee will appeare easie if wee learne how they agree betweene themselues and how they differ both betweene themselues and also from others 9. Two Sacraments agree in foure things These two Sacraments agree in these things 1. In a generall definition A Sacrament is a signe and seale of the couenant of grace First they are signes 1 In a generall definition as water washing in Baptisme bread and wine eating and drinking in the Lords Supper They are both signes of the couenant for Baptisme signifieth Christs bloud in the couenant and so dooth the Lords Supper and they bee both more thē bare signes euen seales of assurance For as the seale is set to a will or deed to confirme the writing so are these two appointed by Christ to assure vs of the thing they signifie Therefore the one is called his body and the other the washing of the new birth not because they bee chaunged in nature but by such a neere speech to assure vs of the thing sealed or signed They both herein assure vs of our iustification and sanctification Secondly 2 They be as badges they bee both outward badges of our profession as by the one we shew the Lords death and by the other that wee are Gods children by a new birth Thirdly 3 Both commanded Mat. 28.18.19 they both haue a commandement from Christ Fourthly 4 Both haue a forme of administration Acts. 2.14.37.38 Mar. 16.15.16 they both haue a prescribed forme of administration in regard of the Minister and people The Minister is appoynted to preach and declare the couenant and to administer the Sacraments the people to heare and to receiue the Sacraments In Baptisme the Minister must wash with water in the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the holy Ghost the person to bee admitted into the Church is to submit himselfe to such a washing In the Lords Supper the Minister by thanksgiuing is to set apart to this holy vse the bread wine seuerally to breake the bread and to giue afterwards seuerally first bread and then wine to the people bidding them to eate drinke c. and the people ought to receiue them both seuerally first bread and then wine and to eate the bread and drinke the wine not as common bread and wine but as sanctified to the
* Gen. 28.12 ladder by which the elect doe walke vp into heauen and in the margin the particular poyntes of doctrine as the goodly * 1. King 10.18 Lions on both side of the steps of Salomons throne which with little marking thou maist perceiue to offer themselues The poynts of doctrine in the meaning of the words The interpretation or ladder Ver. 3. HEre is the top of Salomons throne for hee sheweth in this verse the state of all faithfull Christians in this life after their effectuall calling that they haue as it were liuery and sesin of that heauenly kingdome Where the blessing is that of Abraham Gen. 22. communicated vnto them by the a The trinitie spirite and it is described by the author a The trinitie God the b Christ in his person Gods sonne in office Lord Iesus Christ i annoynted Sauiour king priest and prophet Father of our a The trinitie Lorde Iesus Christ and by the nature of it which is heauenly which may be translated as chap. 2.6 heauenly places because the c The state of beleeuers to bee heires of heauen blessing is to make vs heyres of heauen by hope as is expounded verse 13.14 and Titus 3.7 and it is set forth by the meanes which is a Christ the meanes Christ namely that being in Christ we haue this blessing Gal. 3.14 and it is saide all spirituall blessings because b The Spirit the worker by the spirite all giftes necessarie to eternall life are giuen vs 1. Pet. 1.3 and he teacheth them to prayse c God the author God as the author saying Blessed be God c. Hauing shewed that the faithfull are set by Christ thorow the spirit in the state of saluation as it were translated from death to life now in the rest hee sheweth the proceeding of the causes as the steppes by which GOD bringeth vs vnto this and so in the accomplishment of all the elect vnto the perfection of ioye in the life to come Verse 4. He sheweth the first steppe d The first cause of saluation chosen before the world was God doth chuse them this is declared by the time that is before all time and by the e God in chosing looked not on worke or faith foreseene but on his sonne mouing cause in Christ by the f Godly life an effect not a cause of saluation end that we should be holy c. Verse 5. He sheweth here a second cause or degree which is g The second cause of saluation adoption thorow Christ Adoption that is God would take vs to bee his children which is set forth by the repetition of the first cause h They that are adopted were first predestinated predestination which is generall to election and reprobation namely that out of it came adoption that is God set downe by decree whom he would make his children thorow Christ which is called the sure foundation of God 2. Tim. 2.19 and this illustrated by another i The good pleasure of Gods will the mouing cause of predestination to adoption mouing cause which is the good pleasure of his will Verse 6. The former cause is here amplified by the last k The glory of God the finall cause final the glorie of Gods grace Which l The grace of God a third cause grace is made a third and speciall working cause bringing forth a fourth which is our m Iustification a fourth cause iustification for hee saith that with n If it bee of grace it is not now of works Rom. 11.6 grace he maketh them accepted and to bee accepted is alone with iustified and his grace being the cause thereof sheweth that wee are freely iustified by his grace Rom. 3.24 And lastly that we may know this iustifying to be o We are iustified by grace thorow faith in Christ by faith in Christ he addeth him as the materiall cause in all these causes terming him beloued by excellencie because for his sake God doth these things Verse 7. The a Redemption by Christs bloud a fift cause fift cause of our saluation is redemption by Christs blood this is declared by the b Forgiuenes of sinnes part of redemptiō His bloud sheweth Christ a naturall man effect forgiuenes of sinnes which sheweth how Christ is the meanes of our iustification namely in that hee payed the ransome for our sinnes and so wee being forgiuen are accounted iust for his sake as is opened 2. Cor. 5.17.20.21 which is amplified by repetition of the working cause his grace c Rich is the grace of God in forgiuenes of sinnes which for the exceeding greatnes is called rich Verse 8.9 Here he sheweth a d The preaching of the Gospell a sixt cause sixt cause euen the instrument by which he applieth all these causes vnto vs which is the preaching of the Gospell called here e The Gospell is the opening of the mistery of Gods will in all wisdome and vnderstanding The opening of the mystery of his will So expounded cap. 3.4 5 6. Coloss 1.25.26 Which thing is set forth first by the cause whereby that is his grace secondly by the order of it that it was aboundant in all wisdome and vnderstanding thirdly the f The preaching of the gospell commeth of Gods grace and good pleasure repetition of one mouing cause The good pleasure of his will and lastly by the first cause his g Preaching of the gospell ordained of Gods purpose purpose wherein he regarded nothing but Christ wherefore hee saith in him that is as God purposed in his good pleasure to elect and adopt these happie soules in Christ so did he in that purpose appoynt the meanes which is the preaching of the Gosspell Verse 10. The h Our effectuall calling the seuenth cause last cause which is the effectuall calling named the i All the faithfull gathered into one gathering into one The greeke word signifieth the gathering of dispersed things into one entire or summe namely that where we be in all ages as sheep going astray we are called by the gospell and gathered by fayth vnto Christ our shepheard into one felowship or bodie which then shall be k There is a certaine number of the elect which shall be made full vp in Christ perfected when the whole number of the elect being accomplished we shall all meete with Christ and hee made meruellous in all that beleeue Ephes 4.12 13. which calling is set forth by two argumentes First by the times wherein there is a a The faithfull called in all times ages dispensation of times and a b In the end of time all the elect shall be one with Christ fulnes of times which sheweth that God calleth and gathereth his elect in many times as before the law and vnder the law and in the time of the Gospell wherein the whole world shal be gathered And
faith apprehending Christ wrought by preaching thorow the spirite Lastly the thing for men euerlasting life 8. Here is taught who are saued 8 This Christ so expoundeth in the next verses and cap. 6.40.53 those onely who beleeue which is not to beleeue there is a God or that God made the worlde c. which yet are necessarie but to beleeue in him that is in Iesus Christ the onely begotten sonne of God 9. Our saluation is most free certaine 9 It dependeth vpō Gods loue Ioh. 13.1 T it 1.2 10. 10 In the worde giue Eph 2.8 Our saluation is of the free grace of God without our deseruing 11. 11 This is seen in his person aboue all sacrificers Heb. 10.11.12.13 Our Saluation is perfectly wrought by Christ alone 12. 12 1. Pet. 2.6 7.8 Mat. 7.13 Mar. 16.16 There are two waies of mens life by the decree of God some by beleefe in Christ shall be saued some for vnbeleefe shall perish 13. There is a double life 13 Heb. 9.27 1. Thess 4.14 Matth. 25. and a double death one of the body onely and the other of bodie and soule 14. 14 Matt. 16.18 Mark 16.16 1. Ioh. 1.3 Eph. 4.15.16 Here is the catholike Churche the communion of Saintes remission of sinnes resurrection of the bodie and life euerlasting taught For the catholike Church is of all that beleeue in Christ the communion is our fellowship with God in Christ thorow the spirit in the vse of all his giftes or there is one God one Christ one faith and one saluation to all Remission of sinnes the resurrection of the bodie are part of those giftes which are shadowed is this eternall life for by forgiuenes of sinnes and the resurrection of the bodie wee come to eternall life 15. 15 1. Ioh. 4.11.19 1. Cor. 6.11.20 This place is most strong to teache men to liue godly soberly and righteously in this present world for what may more moue then the free loue of God the great price of our saluation the onely begotten sonne of God the order of our calling by the spirite to be regenerate vnto faith and lastly the saluation it selfe which is to bee deliuered from sinne 16. 16 This is taught Rom. 4 11. cap 6 2 3. 1. Cor. 10.16 You may ioyne vnto these though not expressed in the text as the rest That the Sacraments are signes to teach vs as seales to applie vnto vs this doctrine Comforts out of this doctrine HEre is the place to explaine the sweete comfortes of this doctrine which I may terme the pleasant taste of these good fruites which I desire that euery Master would carefully and painefully drop into his familie that they may taste how good the Lorde is and feele that they knowe for this will mightelie worke towards faith so that his labour shall be ioyfull in the ende The comforts are gathered by the consideratiō of the persons meditation of the things Comforts by the consideration of the persons 1. 1 Psal 23.1 Rom. 8.31.32 Eph. 1.13.14 Beholde here the great loue of the almightie and glorious God the loue of Christ his sonne and of the holy Ghost What was greater in God then his sonne That hee gaue for to vs. What is greater in the sonne then himselfe That he bestowed vpon vs. What is more precious then the power and goodnes of the spirit that hee powreth into vs renewing and endowing vs with faith and sanctification O how vnspeakeable is the goodnes of God for the assurance of our saluation so that no man can doubt but euery soule that knoweth and feeleth these things must needs reioyce with ioy vnspeakeable and glorious 2. 2 Rom. 5 6.7 8.9.10 1. Ioh. 4.9.10 Marke who they bee vpon whom this glorious God bestoweth this great gift vpon the world euen vs men who hauing offended him by sinne are his enemies by euill mindes and are weake being able to doe nothing to recompense him or to comfort or helpe our selues but he chooseth vs he redeemeth vs he sanctifieth vs he glorifieth vs. Must not this being well wayed make vs burst out with the blessed virgin a Luk. 1.46 My soule doth magnifie the Lorde and my spirite reioyceth in God my sauiour Comfort by the meditation of the things 3. 3 Eph. 2.1.2.3.4.5.6 1. Pet. 2.9.10 cap. 1.3.4.5 Coloss 1.12.13 Reuel 1 5.6 Philip. 3.20 2. Tim. 4.8 Call to minde in what miserie danger and wofull condition we be of ourselues into what happines freedome and blessed estate we bee brought by Gods loue in Christ from sinne from death from hell from the curse of the lawe from the power of Sathan from the wrath of God and eternall corruption anguish and searefull sorrow into the glorious libertie of the sonnes of God to immortalitie and in corruption to the crowne of righteousnes and to be the sonnes and daughters of God heyres of the kingdome of Heauen to the fulnes of ioyes in the presence of God for euermore Mine heart cannot conceiue my pen cannot write the vnsearcheable riches of Christ the price of this pearle for which a man would sell all that he hath And this is freely giuen vs perfectly wrought for vs assuredly kept for vs how may we triumph and glorie in our God Reioyce in the Lorde alway and againe I say reioyce When the soule is thus seasoned with the taste of this heauenly doctrine Admonition to the householder then may the Master of the familie boldlie descrie vnto them the errors which are contrarie to these trueths And this he shall finde a perfect rule that the true doctrine being once vprightly taught whatsoeuer is not agreeing thereunto is falsehood and to be auoyded as a Epist 2. ver 9 Iohn teacheth Whosoeuer transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God Now the errors are infinite as there are many by-waies and but one true waie So b Eccles 7.31 God made man righteous but they haue found out many inuentions I will name but a fewe in comparison yet so many as I would the Master of the house should vse discretion in rehearsing of them to his familie namely some fewe at once and so it wil much further them euen as by all contraries euery good thing is the more perceiued felt and esteemed In repeating of these he must rehearse the true doctrine and so compare them together that they may perceiue this to bee contrary to that as light vnto darknes And therefore by figures answering to the doctrines I wil shew him which are contrarie to each other and with a little heede taking and attention hee shall finde it easie The errors and heresies contrarie to the good doctrine 1. THe first doctrine condemneth all these i. the Atheists of whom Psal 14.1 Secondly the Philosophers who make God to bee idle and not to haue care of the world thirdly the gentiles who turned the glory of the incorruptible God
I haue receiued of the Lord that which I also haue deliuered vnto you that the Lord Iesus the same night hee was betraied tooke bread Vers 24. And when he had giuen thanks he brake it and sayd Take eate this is my bodie which is broken for you doe this in remembrance of me 25. After the same manner also hee tooke the cup when he had supped saying This cup is the new Testament in my bloud doe this as oft as you drinke it in remembrance of me 26. For as oft as you eate this bread or drinke this cuppe ye shew the Lords death till he come The Interpretation THese two places haue one end Both texts to one end namely to teach good order and good behauiour amongst Gods people the first touching all dueties and the latter in the seruice of God as namely in the vse of the Sacraments The first is by a comparison of the estate of Christians before their calling The first text with that wherein they are after they be called the a Were in times past vers 3. first estate is verse 3. in these wordes were in time past where he describeth the nature of the vnregenerate in the b Wee our selues person of the Christian in these words we our selues first the corruption of the c Vnwise Disobedient Deceiued minde vnwise in the vnderstanding part disobedient in will and deceiued in iudgement Secondly in the d Seruing the lusts diuers pleasures affections seruing the lusts and pleasures Thirdly in e Liuing in maliciousnes and enuie conuersation liuing in all wickednes to the hurt of others and this is set forth by the f Hatefull and hating vers 4. effect that one hated the other By which hee emptieth man of all righteousnes and strippeth him naked that he may bee seene to be nothing but filthines Then the other estate is shewed in the rest First by the g Bountifulnes and 〈◊〉 of God fundamentall cause the secret bouÌ„tifulnes loue of God And because God is h Our Sâ—â—â—our author of christian happines wholy soly he is intituled Our Sauiour this bountifulnes is set forth by the i When appeared vers 5. time when it was knowne and effectuall when it appeared and this is verse 4. Then verse 5. he sheweth k According to his mercie how it is wrought namely by mercie that is compassion on our infirmities and miseries being such desperate sinners which is opened by his a Not by the works of righteousnes which we had done contrarie that it was not by our workes of righteousnes Then hee sheweth b He saued vs. what God did he saued vs namely from that miserable estate of sinne and this is declared by the instrument which is double one c Washing outward of lesse power which is washing that is Baptisme the other d Holy ghost inward which is effectuall and maketh the washing effectuall this is the holy Spirite and that by two e New birth and renewing effectes the new birth or regeneration vnto faith and renewing of vs in sanctification vnto holynes And verse 6. vers 6 these two effects are set forth by the holy f Iesus Christ conduit or meanes by which they are powred downe vpon vs which is aboundantly by Christ and then verse 7. vers 7 by the g Iustified and made heires c. effects that we should be iustified by his grace that is * Rom. 3.24 freely reconciled vnto God by faith in Christs blood and made heyres of eternall life This latter effect is declared by his h Hope instrument Hope The summe is then that seeing by nature wee are so corrupt in minde in will affections and workes and that God of his bountifulnes without our workes moued onely by his mercie hath begotten vs a new and sanctified vs with his spirit whereof Baptisme is a Sacrament all this by Christ c. We ought to bee subject to principalities and powers obedient and readie to euerie good worke The other place The second text opened is by a rehearsall of the institution of Christ that by it as by a rule or lawe the Corinthian abuses and disorders might be reformed where firs is the i I haue receiued of the Lord c. preface to make it a rule because he deliuerad to them that he receiued from the Lorde insinuating that hee durst not teach them any thing else and therefore they did ill to corrupt that order by their abuses then for the thing it selfe he first simplie and truly sheweth the very storie and after he expoundeth the vse of it In the storie he beginneth with the a The night he was betrayed time that it was ordayned The same night he was betrayed namely the * Colos 2.16.17 Heb. 10.1.2.9 time of the olde testament in the shadowes hauing in him an ende he erecteth ordinances for the new then secondly hee sheweth the b Hee tooke â—read and brake c. vers 24. things First that hee tooke bread then that hee blessed it by * 1. Cor. 10.16 giuing thankes that is hee separated it to some speciall vse to that end followeth the breaking the bread and bidding them to take and eate it then he sheweth the c This is my bodie vse of these ceremonies in these words this is my bodie which is sacramentally spoken as * Exod. 12.11.12 1. Cor. 10.3.4 that of the Passeouer and of Manna and the rocke c. that that breaking of bread was a signe of his bodie to be broken which he expoundeth himselfe in the d This doe ye in remeÌ„brance of me next wordes which are a commandement by vertue whereof the Churche ought to vse this Sacrament namely that the Church should doe as hee did and when they so doe they should doe it in remembrance of him Then verse 25. vers 25 hee sheweth the e After the same manner c. like of the cup where the words of the f This cuppe is the new Testament c. vse are spoken by a borrowed speech the cuppe for the wine in the cup and alluding to the g Exod. 4.8 righte of the sacrifices he calleth it the testament in his blood meaning that it was a sacramentall signe of the couenant of God sealed with his blood which least we should dreame of any Transubstantiation or consubstantiation hee likewise expoundeth himselfe in a h This doe as oft as ye c. commandement to the Church that when they drinke it they should doe as he did in remembrance of him Now the Apostle hauing the same spirit of Christ in that very meaning doth teach vs the i As oft as ye c. vers 26. vse verse 26. calling the creatures in the eating bread and in the drinking wine and that the same bread and wine so separated by thankesgiuing are not changed in their substance but in their